How Toyama’s Fumigiku Sake Brewery Secured No. 2 at Kura Master 2026
Sake breweries take many paths. Some refine a single label to perfection; some embrace the ephemeral with seasonal releases; others compete through the sheer magnitude of scale. Fumigiku Sake Brewery, established in 1916 in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, departs from these conventional paths. Their core philosophy is as uncompromising as it is distinct: “We instill the exquisite care of daiginjo brewing into every single drop we craft.”
Honoring the Collective over the Singular
In April 2026, the celebrated Kura Master competition marked its 10th anniversary in Paris, France. It was here that Fumigiku Sake Brewery was honored as the runner-up in the prestigious overall “Best Brewery” category. This distinction looks past individual, standalone triumphs, evaluating instead the collective caliber of multiple expressions submitted by a single house.
The accolade was mirrored by the standout performances of individual labels under Fumigiku’s premier brand, “Haneya.” While the “Diamond Omachi” secured a Platinum Award, the “Junmai Ginjo Classic,” “MOONLIGHT BEAUTY,” and “Junmai Ginjo Hattan-nishiki” were each distinguished with Gold Awards. This continuous streak follows the 2025 Jury Prize awarded to “Haneya Junmai Ginjo Tominoka.” To earn acclaim for a singular bottle is a feat; to have an entire portfolio validated simultaneously speaks to an exceptional, uniform standard of mastery.
The Democratization of Daiginjo Craftsmanship
Fumigiku Sake Brewery’s defining narrative is rooted in an egalitarian view of craftsmanship: every sake is accorded the exact same dignity as a daiginjo.
Intricate techniques typically reserved exclusively for ultra-premium sake—such as gentei kyusui (limited water absorption, where moisture is calibrated down to the exact second) and hako-koji or futa-koji (the meticulous cultivation of koji in micro-containers)—are applied universally across all labels, including their junmai ginjo and tokubetsu junmai. This rigorous approach is sustained year-round within a climate-controlled environment, with every bottle immediately transferred to specialized cold storage post-press. This democratic application of prestige methods ensures that the artistry is never partitioned by price point—an ethos that has naturally culminated in their global recognition as a top-tier brewery.
Glacial Waters and the Lineage of Keiki Hane
At the heart of this consistency is the water—a pristine, soft subterranean flow from the Joganji River system, fed by the ancient glacial thaws of the Tateyama Mountain Range. Filtering through the earth over decades before emerging on the Toyama Plain, it tethers the liquid intimately to its terroir.
Guiding this process is Keiki Hane, who serves as both owner and toji (master brewer). The flagship brand, “Haneya” (literally “the wings of Hane”), carries his family lineage directly onto the label, bridging the identity of the artisan with the spirit of the bottle. This enduring devotion has earned Fumigiku a spot in the top tiers of the World Sake Brewery Ranking for six consecutive years, ranking 11th in 2025. Their craft has quietly graced the first-class lounges of JAL, the premium cabins of ANA, and exclusive cellars like that of the Imperial Hotel.
A Narrative That Resonates in Bangkok
Sharing the story of a single label and sharing the story of an entire brewery require beautifully distinct nuances. One captures a momentary sensory experience; the other chronicles the unbroken continuity of a philosophy.
For the discerning palate in Bangkok, an introduction to Fumigiku that highlights their standing as the No. 2 brewery globally offers a profound depth of context. It invites the enthusiast to look past the individual glass and engage with the overarching vision of the house. As Bangkok’s cultural community continues to seek authentic craftsmanship, the narrative of Fumigiku Sake Brewery offers an elegant blueprint for appreciating sake—not just as a collection of products, but as an uncompromised expression of absolute dedication. (Mr. Bacchus)
This article is intended solely to explore the brewing philosophy and cultural heritage of Fumigiku Shuzo (the producer of the Haneya brand) and does not aim to promote or encourage the consumption of alcohol. / บทความนี้จัดทำขึ้นเพื่อนำเสนอข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับปรัชญาการผลิตและมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมของโรงสาเก Fumigiku Shuzo (ผู้ผลิตแบรนด์ Haneya) เท่านั้น มิได้มีเจตนาเพื่อส่งเสริมหรือโฆษณาเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ สำหรับผู้มีอายุ 20 ปีขึ้นไป โปรดดื่มอย่างรับผิดชอบ